The Unexamined Life - Part II

Renowned psychologist Albert Bandura states, "What people think, believe, and feel affects how they behave." In other words, our behaviours are the result of our thoughts. With great insight, someone summed up the interaction between our thoughts and our actions with the words: "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits, Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” Reread those five sentences - slowly. Thoughts become words; words become actions; actions become habits; habits become character; and character becomes destiny.

When Bandura made his statement, he was not revealing to the world something new. He was echoing a truth the Bible made clear centuries before. Thoughts contrary to the Word make mischief in one's heart and because it is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks, our actions, spurred on by our beliefs and feelings, are tied to our thoughts. Careless words born out of wrong thoughts not taken captive to the obedience of Christ lead to mistakes and bad behaviours.

Recognizing the power of one's thought life in its impacts on actions and destinies, the Psalmist David was on to something when he prayed, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). Everything starts at the root. To correct a behaviour without first changing the way we think about that particular issue is an exercise in futility. However, as difficult as it may be to wrestle ingrained thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to help us in that regard, if we allow Him to.

That is why the unexamined life is a dangerous life. It is not enough to just live and act without understanding what drives our behaviours and whether or not those behaviours are consistent with the Word of God. Paul's advice was solid; "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). Everything starts with a thought; that thought eventually shapes our destiny. To that end, it is imperative that we examine our lives to determine if we need to change the way we think.

Again, "If you had friends who spoke like your thoughts, would you hang out with them?"